Huskers Host Two Matches in Lincoln

The No. 70 Nebraska women’s tennis team continues a seven-match season-opening homestand this weekend when it plays host to Wichita State Friday, Feb. 6, at 4 p.m. at Woods Tennis Center. Sunday, NU will take on Wyoming in a 10 a.m. match at Woods.

Nebraska (3-0) enters the second week of its season with the momentum gained from three wins over three days last week. NU began its 2004 slate with a 5-2 win over Colorado State Jan. 30, followed by a 7-0 triumph over Montana State Jan. 31 and a 5-2 defeat of Illinois-Chicago Feb. 1.

Although Nebraska was without top singles player Gitte Ostermann, who was sidelined with tendonitis,the Huskers combined for a 14-4 overall singles record. Three NU players came out of the weekend with perfect 3-0 records. Senior Leslie Harvey picked up three victories at No. 2 singles, senior Anna Oehme went 3-0 at No. 3 singles, and sophomore Pamela Castillejos was 2-0 at No. 5 singles and 1-0 in the No. 4 spot.

Nebraska also benefited from strong doubles play during its first three contests. NU boasts an 8-1 doubles record, led by No. 1 team Harvey and Rose Ketmayura, who are 3-0.

A Quick Look at Wichita State and Wyoming
Wichita State (0-1) opened the season Feb. 1 with a 6-1 loss to No. 33 Kansas State. The Shockers are coached by Les Stafford, who owns a 168-125 record in 15 seasons. WSU’s top returning player from its 2003 8-11 squad is sophomore Wendi Webster, who went 14-14 last spring as a freshman.

The Cowgirls are 0-1 after losing 7-0 to No. 56 Denver in their season opener. Wyoming is led by senior Yuliani Santi, who posted a 12-10 dual record in 2003, including a 6-2 mark at No. 1 singles. Wyoming is coached by Pam Wildt, who is 26-60 in four years with the Cowgirls.

Nebraska Coach Scott Jacobson
In his 13th year, Scott Jacobson continues to lead Nebraska to success on the national level despite battling one of the toughest conferences in the nation.

WIth a career-record of 150-118, Jacobson is the winningest coach in Nebraska women’s tennis history. He has led the Huskers to a national ranking in each of the past seven seasons. NU has also produced seven straight winning seasons under Jacobson’s leadership. Jacobson’s top seasons were in 2000 and 2001, when he guided the program to consecutive 19-6 records

Jacobson has coached six Big 12 Conference champions and three all-conference players, including Gitte Ostermann in 2003. A school-record five Nebraska women’s tennis players were named to the Academic All-Big 12 team last season. In Jacobson’s 12 years, the Huskers have combined for 24 academic all-conference honors, including 15 first-team accolades.

In 2003, Jacobson led NU to a 12-11 record and a No. 76 ranking. Nebraska defeated two ranked teams, including No. 71 Eastern Michigan and No. 66 Denver.